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Birthday boy Robben runs the show in five-goal Bayern romp

Bayern Munich finished their mid-season break in ominous fashion for their rivals by thrashing Bochum 5-1 in a friendly.

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Written ByMark Bowering

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Birthday boy Arjen Robben scored twice and had a hand in two
other goals as Bayern Munich came from behind to win 5-1 at Bochum
in their final friendly before the Bundesliga resumes following a
mid-season break.

Robben - who turned 31 on Friday - cancelled out Danny Latza's
superb opener before Dante met the Dutchman's corner with a
powerful downward header to put Bayern ahead on the stroke of
half-time.

Second-half substitute Mario Gotze netted within three minutes
of his introduction following a slick passing move involving Robben
and Franck Ribery.

And Robben put the seal on fantastic individual display with a
superb 20-yard curler 12 minutes from time before Sebastian Rode's
close-range finish completed the rout.

Pep Guardiola will be pleased with the professionalism shown by
his Bayern players, who return to Bundesliga action at Wolfsburg
next Friday.

Latza put the hosts - 11th in the second tier of German football
- ahead in style after just five minutes.

Stefano Celozzi's cross was only headed clear as far as Latza on
the edge of the penalty area and he struck a sweet first-time
volley across Manuel Neuer.

Bochum goalkeeper Michael Esser denied Robert Lewandowski and
Robben saw a shot curl just wide before Bayern's positive response
to going behind led to the equaliser.

Robben played a neat one-two with Thomas Muller that saw the
Germany striker backheel the ball into the path of his team-mate to
coolly slot home.